A university study has said what many newspaper commentators have been saying for years. According to a 120-page report by Cardiff school of journalism, media and cultural studies Trinity-Mirror’s short-sighted policy to “minimise costs while maximising revenues” is endangering the newspapers it owns. Without investment, it says, the papers will die.

Greenslade points out that the report was commissioned in conjunction with the NUJ:

The fact that the study was commissioned by the National Union of Journalists****Trinity’s ceo, Sly Bailey, that it shouldn’t be taken seriously. But **Franklin ** and Williams have an impeccable reputation, and their impartiality and independence cannot be denied. So Ms Bailey and her executives should read it carefully.

Whether they have or not is worth debating. Trinity Mirror is investing in multimedia training for journalists.

But the disparity between Baileys message and feeling/reality on the ground seems all too clear.

Bailey may be consistent in the message that papers will always be where it’s at. Shareholders and business leaders may like that and Bailey may believe that her newspapers will be ready and waiting when that advertising does come back.